1.A recent issue has been the legality of same sex marriage. Over the last few years especially there have been huge strides for homosexual rights. In New England starting with Massachusetts, the movement has spread to Connecticut and now Vermont. “A bill to legalize same-sex marriages was introduced in the House, nine years after Vermont became the first state to permit civil unions. A crowd of several hundred supporters gathered at the State House in celebration. The bill has 59 sponsors, all of them Democrats, who overwhelmingly control both houses of the legislature.” This is a clear example of the Natural Rights Philosophy. The Government has adapted into law, rights of the minority. They are looking out for the good of the individual.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/us/07brfs-SAMESEXMARRI_BRF.html?_r=1
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/opinion/16mfberry.html
2. President Obama’s stimulus plan is a prime example of classical republicanism. The stimulus plan is Obama’s method to pull America out of its current economic crisis. This stimulus package will “immediately inject 75 billion dollars into the economy in the form of tax cuts and direct spending targeted to working families, seniors, homeowners and the unemployed.” As well as this financial package, the stimulus plan “includes 45 billion dollars in reserves that can be injected into the economy quickly in the future if the economy continues to deteriorate.” This stimulus plan demonstrates classical republicanism because Obama is looking out for the greater good by putting money into society’s pocket. The government is providing “its citizens with liberty under government and stressing the common good, or what is best for the society as a whole.” President Obama explains that “in the midst of our greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, the American people were hoping that Congress would begin to confront the great challenges we face. That was, after all, what last November’s election was all about.”
Sources: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/obama-calls-on-congress-to-put-stimulus-plan-in-motion/?hp
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/13/barack_obama_announces_plan_to.php
3. Obama has clearly adapted federalist principals in his policies on the economy, healthcare and energy. First, any plan of economic stimulus is an example of the federal government taking control of the nations economy. The problem of economic recession is not entirely monetary but media driven. As we keep hearing negative things about the economy, we are less likely to spend money in fear things will only get worse. The economic stimulus needed is that the American people stop worrying about media scare and reinvigorate the economy with purchases. In other words, the trickle up effect. If everyone uses their funds like they did a year ago, the economy will stimulate itself, inherently creating more jobs and returning American wealth. Obama's plan is federalist because he is putting the task of fixing the economy solely on the federal government and giving no decision to the states. Furthermore his healthcare plan calls for employers to increase their health care plans. This mandate would be federal and state government would not be able to regulate the conditions of which employers provide such care. Lastly, Obama wants to make the nation green and rely on renewable energy. I believe he said he would "bankrupt the coal industry" with taxes and superfluous regulations, which the industry would not be able to meet. Whether his intentions are moral or not, he is not giving states the choice to allow coal companies to proceed. His energy plan also calls for the creation of renewable energy plants, which I can imagine the government would own or have a majority voice in. In other words, the federal government would own Americans energy. This is another example of federalist doctrine.
Sources: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/obama-calls-on-congress-to-put-stimulus-plan-in-motion/?hp
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/13/barack_obama_announces_plan_to.php
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